Fiesta to mark Lagos at 50 kicks off a year early

For three days at the end of July, 2016, the once famous Bar Beach waterfront hosted thrilling performances by a mix of popular and emerging artistes in the build up to celebrate Lagos at 50. Packed within the three-day event were live performances of A-list artistes, cultural dance, dance and drama, riddles and jokes by […]

For three days at the end of July, 2016, the once famous Bar Beach waterfront hosted thrilling performances by a mix of popular and emerging artistes in the build up to celebrate Lagos at 50.
Packed within the three-day event were live performances of A-list artistes, cultural dance, dance and drama, riddles and jokes by stand-up comedians, miming as well as fashion parades sponsored by local fashion designers. Beyond these live performances were prominent DJs, who kept dishing out to the restless audience popular tunes and tracks to enliven the atmosphere.
While some fun-loving members of the audience chose to sing and dance their hearts out, others spread their nests across the numerous make-shift restaurants and tents, guzzling local delicacies, barbeques, Suya and shredded meat with drinks of all kinds.
Across the arena were huge screens beaming lives performances to the audience at the farthest sections. The Screens were accompanied by gigantic loud speakers, ensuring that not a minute sound or audio was lost. The glittering background on the stage and the flashy lights, all combined to hype the colourful outlook of the arena. 
On hand were artistes with different genres of music, across different generations. Among the older ones were Waka music exponent, Queen Salawa Abeni, Olu Maintain and a host of others.
The younger artistes comprised: Sexy Steel, Nice, Konga, Racye, Legend D, Lax, Big Chef and Skuski, Solid Star, Tillama, Vector, Terry Apala, Orenzi, Korede Bello, Humble Smith, Saeon, CDQ, Koker, May D, MI, Chidinma, Àdekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Reminisce, Rykado Bank and Ycee.
“This is an initiative designed to project the art, culture and entertainment potentials of Lagos, Nigeria’s number one centre of excellence,” a delightful Folarin Coker, the Lagos State Commissioner for Arts and Culture said.
According to Coker, at a time revenue from the centre – largely hinged on oil- is diminishing, Lagos is fast shifting its attention elsewhere, digging up more revenues from its yet-to-be fully maximized arts, cultures and tourism industry.
“This is another approach of diversifying our economy. Already, what comes to us from the centre has reduced. And this, in part, is an alternative economic revenue generation. We can’t deceive ourselves any longer. We have to diversify. Already, our music and film industry is growing rapidly.
“We also want to drive revenues for small scale operators in the creative industry such as the camera men, sound managers, dancers, drummers, makeup artists, as well as food vendors, restaurant operators, among other tourism and service providers in the hospitality industry,” the Commissioner said.
Coker further explained that the idea of selecting the 27th which will henceforth become a monthly affair, is designed to resonate with May 27, 2017 when Lagos as a state will be marking its 50th anniversary.
The commissioner was however quick to add that the bigger picture for the fiesta is for it to extend beyond the 50th anniversary celebration. He said Lagos is now determined to take its rightful place as not just the economic hub of Africa but also the tourism hub.
Tunrayo Craig, a fun seeker said she was already looking towards the next edition of the fiesta. She said the most appealing to her was the fashion parade that was featured in the line up. She said she was particularly impressed with most of the products the models show cased.
AY, the popular stand-up comedian who anchored the programme on the third day described the One Lagos Brand fiesta as progressive initiative.